Latest news with #Lahti
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skanska wins contract to build Fazer's $467m chocolate factory in Finland
Skanska has secured a contract for the construction of Fazer's approximately €400m ($467m) chocolate factory in Lahti, Finland. The project aims to enhance Fazer's production capabilities with advanced technology and automation. Skanska's contract is worth €89m and will be included in its Nordic order bookings for the third quarter of 2025. The construction of the factory, located in the Pippo industrial area, is set to begin in the coming months, with operations expected to start in 2028. Fazer noted that the production of chocolates will also partially continue in Vantaa. The new facility will span approximately 33,300m² and integrate Fazer's chocolate expertise with automated production lines and technologies to produce new types of products. It will be carbon dioxide emissions-free while the efficient use of raw materials will significantly minimise production waste. Fazer Group president and CEO Christoph Vitzthum said: 'The investment of approximately €400m is the largest in Fazer's history and it is also significant from a Finnish food industry perspective. 'The new factory will support both our domestic as well as international growth and demonstrates our strong belief in the competitiveness of Finnish food production also in the international markets.' Fazer's investment is supported by Business Finland's industrial investment support programme. Fazer has completed a real-estate transaction with the City of Lahti to facilitate the construction phase, which will employ hundreds of professionals, totalling over 500,000 working hours. The investment will be financed through long-term debt, with a green finance framework allowing for the issuance of green financial instruments. Fazer's new project is expected to contribute to Finnish food exports, with the company already accounting for 15% of these exports. Recently, Skanska secured two new contracts in the US and Sweden: a rail link construction and a multisports facility development, respectively. "Skanska wins contract to build Fazer's $467m chocolate factory in Finland" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Finland's Fazer presses ahead with new chocolate factory
Fazer has decided to move forward with its plan for a new chocolate factory the Finnish group had put on hold amid concerns about the country's fiscal policy. Last year, Fazer paused plans to build a new plant in the southern city of Lahti after the Finnish government announced a proposal to raise VAT on confectionery. A year later, the idea was shelved. Today, Fazer said it would proceed with the project, with the site set to be completed in 2028 at a cost of €400m ($467.3m). 'The investment of approximately €400m is the largest in Fazer's history and it is also significant from a Finnish food industry perspective," president and CEO Christoph Vitzthum said. "The new factory will support both our domestic as well as international growth and demonstrates our strong belief in the competitiveness of Finnish food production also in the international markets." The facility, located in the Pippo industrial area of Lahti, will span around 33,300 m2. Lahti is already home to a Fazer crisps factory, a bakery, a gluten-free site and a xylitol facility. Fazer's confectionery brands include Karl Fazer milk chocolate, Geisha and Duml. The company also operates in the bakery, non-dairy, and plant-based food markets. It employs more than 4,000 people in Finland, with other production plants in Vantaa and Lappeenranta. Fazer said Vantaa will continue to host its biscuit factory, a 'large' bakery, head office operations, part of the chocolate production, and the Fazer Experience visitor centre. Lahti already houses a Fazer Mill, a sourdough bread factory, a bakery, a gluten-free bakery, and a xylitol factory. In May, Fazer announced an €11m investment to expand its rye bread production capacity in Lahti. In 2024, Fazer reported net sales of €1.18bn, with a 1% growth after currency adjustments. Comparable net sales, excluding the dairy division, rose by 3%. Comparable EBITDA increased by 3% to €141.4m, and the comparable operating result surged by 14% to €75.9m. Group net sales resulted in a profit of €34.7m, recovering from an €86.5m loss the previous year. "Finland's Fazer presses ahead with new chocolate factory" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Errore nel recupero dei dati Effettua l'accesso per consultare il tuo portafoglio Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
US flag football star Ashlea Klam and Houston Texans push for recognition of sport for Texas girls
This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) HOUSTON (AP) — When U.S. Women's Flag National Team member Ashlea Klam was in high school in Texas, her school wouldn't let her participate in signing day, even though she had earned a scholarship to play flag football collegiately. 'It was extremely hurtful knowing all of the work that I put in and my high school didn't want to celebrate it,' she recalled this week. Advertisement Klam hopes other girls don't have to experience what she did, and she's working with the Houston Texans Foundation and the franchise's She's Next movement as the Texans' global flag ambassador to help promote female participation in the sport in Texas and beyond. This week, as the U.S. women's and girls teams assembled in California for USA Football's Summer Series, Klam and the rest of the players were celebrated, receiving curated gift boxes from the Texans and foundation vice president Hannah McNair. The boxes featured items players had requested, including headgear, gloves, sports bras, arm sleeves, slides and jumpsuits, all adorned with the She's Next slogan and the Texans' logo. 'We absolutely loved it,' said Klam, who has led Keiser University to the NAIA flag football national championship game the past two seasons. 'It was things that true flag football players want. It's really exciting to know that we are being seen and that we are being heard, and especially from organizations like the Houston Texans, and knowing that they really stepped up to make all of the (teams) and women who are part of USA Football feel really special.' Advertisement Men's and women's flag football will be Olympic sports for the first time in Los Angeles in 2028. McNair and the Texans foundation began focusing on girls' flag football in 2023 and she's been thrilled to see growth in the sport among school-age girls in the last two years. 'I'm so excited about it,' she said. 'The growth of the sport, the excitement, the empowerment it gives females being able to play football. We know what it can do to communities and for individuals but pushing that towards scholarships and educational opportunities for these female athletes is something that we're really focused on.' High school girls' flag football is currently sanctioned as a varsity sport in 15 states, and McNair and the Texans are working with policymakers in the state to push Texas to sanction it. For now, the team's girls flag football program includes more than 2,000 high school athletes in Houston, Austin and El Paso. McNair attended the championships in Houston and El Paso recently and loved seeing the impact the game is making. Advertisement 'It is emotional and also so moving and inspiring to see these athletes and the excitement they have on the field with their teammates, the celebrations,' she said. 'To me it's the ultimate team sport, and to be able to push this sport forward with the interest of all these high school girls and young female athletes has been something that continues to help push us to this next step of trying to get it sanctioned here in Texas.' That's something Klam hopes happens soon so that girls playing flag football in the state will have opportunities she lacked. 'I think it's crazy that I've been able to represent my country at this level, but I was never able to represent my high school,' she said. 'So having that sanctioned and giving so many more girls the opportunity and allowing them to feel like this is something that we're serious about and you have a future, that would would mean a lot to me.' ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USA Football's 'Summer Series' in Los Angeles showcases flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics
This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she runs with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarteback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarteback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she runs with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarteback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) Being in Los Angeles this weekend, practicing and playing in flag football games, and mentoring younger players, makes it all seem that much more real for quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette. Just three summers from now, his sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games. What the final roster will look like, how many NFL players may be on it, is still being sorted out. Advertisement This weekend in LA is simply another chance to showcase flag football. Approximately 900 players from nine countries are taking part in USA Football's 'Summer Series.' No active-roster NFL players are slated to take the field. But that could change down the road after league owners unanimously gave permission in May for players to participate in flag football. 'It's gaining traction,' the 35-year-old Doucette said of his sport, which is currently already part of the NFL's Pro Bowl festivities. 'It's being talked about on ESPN, the NFL Network. The NFL is putting (resources) behind it. It's an exciting, fun, fast game.' The teams of tomorrow The fields at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles will host tournaments and showcases for players of all ages. The men's and women's national teams also play in a series of friendly international matches throughout the weekend. Advertisement On top of that, federations will engage in an international high-performance summit. Basically, it's an exchange of ideas and methodologies to grow the game around the world. The U.S. men and women are both No. 1 in the world, according to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) rankings. 'There's sort of a sports diplomacy going on,' said Scott Hallenbeck, the CEO of USA Football. 'There's just lots of elements that I think speak really well to the growth of the sport within the Olympic movement and what's expected within the Olympic movement and the opportunity to all learn from each other as quickly as possible. 'It's only three years to the Olympics. ... We all have to go as fast as we can." Fine-tuning Advertisement This is also a chance for the national teams to fine-tune before international competitions. The U.S. squads will compete in September at the IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Panama. The women's team also will play at the World Games in Chengdu, China, in August. 'The friendlies are more about just seeing where your team is currently at,' Doucette said. 'We are the top dogs, but we can't go out and treat it that way. We have to keep our foot on the pedal with every game we play.' Doucette still hopes to be the signal caller for Team USA when the LA Olympics roll around. Sure, he will be 38 at the time, but, hey, Tom Brady was winning Super Bowls beyond that age. Lately, Doucette has drawn some headlines for his stance on NFL players contending for roster spots. His take remains simple — beat them out and welcome to the team. Advertisement 'We all are family together. We don't treat each other differently. We all compete and we want the gold medal,' Doucette said. 'So if those (NFL) guys come out and try out, they make the team, congrats to them — they're one of us." The rules The games this weekend will be played following the IFAF's 5-on-5 rules. It's the same version fans will see in LA in 2028. The field is smaller than an NFL field by about half: 50 yards long — along with 10 yards for each end zone — and 25 yards wide. A stop is made by ripping off one of the flags attached by a belt to a ball carrier's waist. An offensive touchdown is worth six points with the subsequent extra-point attempt varying in value. Advertisement Soaring popularity There was a time not too long ago when receiver/center/defensive back Ashlea Klam had to explain the sport she plays. Not anymore. Not after flag football was added to the LA Olympics program, along with cricket, baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash, in October 2023. With the NFL on board, the visibility has only skyrocketed. Klam plays at Keiser University in Florida, which is one of numerous NAIA schools that now have programs. Being in LA this weekend, it's hard for Klam not to think about LA 2028. 'I always think about LA 2028,' said Klam, who bypassed scholarship offers in track and field to concentrate on flag football. 'I still feel like I'm celebrating, just knowing that it's in the Olympics for real.' Advertisement The action Among the events this weekend: — The Select Bowl. This is a chance for U.S. national team coaches to scout and identify rising stars in the sport. — The Junior International Cup. The 15- and 17-under boys' and girls' teams will take part in a tournament featuring squads from around the globe. — International Bowl. This will be a chance to see some of the top players in a series of international friendlies. Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan are also on hand. 'It's incredibly exciting to see the passion and enthusiasm around the sport," Hallenbeck said. 'The more traditional tackle fan or football fan is now starting to really understand what 5-on-5 flag football is and what a great addition to overall football fandom it can be." ___ AP sports:
Hamilton Spectator
17-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Port Moody to push province to tackle affordable space crisis for family doctors
Port Moody council is calling on the province to address one of the roadblocks in the ongoing family doctor shortage: the lack of affordable clinic space. In a unanimous vote on June 10, council approved a resolution to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention that urges the provincial government to work with municipalities, developers, and Divisions of Family Practice to ensure health infrastructure is incorporated into new developments. The motion, co-authored by Mayor Meghan Lahti and Coun. Amy Lubik, also calls for provincial funding and leasing models to make space for clinics more affordable, and for health facilities to be included in the scope of amenities eligible for Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs). While Lahti said the province has done good work on restructured payment, fee and funding models for family physicians, the expense of healthcare workspaces remains a major issue. 'What we're talking about really is a space bottleneck,' she said. A lack of affordable space for family physicians in the Tri-Cities has been an issue for years, with many clinics either being pushed or priced out by new development. The background memo notes that more than 700,000 British Columbians currently lack access to a family physician, and with the provincial population growing at 1.7 percent annually, the need is increasing. It adds the lack of clinical space – due to high rental costs and a shortage of properly configured sites – is making it harder for new doctors to establish practices or expand existing offices. Even as the province shifts toward more team-based care, the necessary square footage for integrated care models remains out of reach in many communities 'This puts it on the radar for us to consider when we are talking to developers that come forward,' Lahti added. 'It really elevates it to a point where we're taking a stand publicly.' Coun. Amy Lubik said that finding clinic space has come up in discussions with the BC Division of Family Practice and other healthcare stakeholders. 'We are facing a primary care crisis,' she said. 'Without a regular family doctor, patients turn to walk-in clinics, emergency departments, or virtual providers, and none of that continues the continuum of care. It doesn't provide preventative care, it doesn't provide chronic disease management, and this can lead to delayed diagnosis and unmanaged conditions.' Lubik emphasized the shared challenges between municipalities and healthcare providers. 'We are living in a world with complex problems and no simple solutions. But we can start somewhere, and we can understand where some of the bottlenecks are.' As municipalities like Port Moody brace for population increases under provincial housing mandates, Lubik said it's vital infrastructure planning includes health services. 'We hear from our residents that we have a lack of health infrastructure,' she said. 'We've been directing our economic development staff to work with developers on trying to find healthcare-related anchor tenants. But again, it's that funding piece and the space piece that we keep coming up against when we talk to doctors.' The motion now heads to the UBCM convention in September, where it will be debated by local governments across the province. If endorsed, it would become part of the formal advocacy platform directed at the provincial government. Dr. Darren Joneson, president elect of BC Family Doctors, which is the main advocacy organization for family doctors in the province, called in to support the motion. He described the provincial health care systems as 'in crisis,' noting that patients are struggling to get access to health care resources. 'It's important that we remove barriers for access,' Joneson said. 'To be able to dedicate space in new builds for primary care clinics, I think is genius.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
